Itinerary - 6 Night Holiday By Rail

Day 1 - London to Strasbourg

Travel from London, Ebbsfleet or Ashford to Paris by Eurostar. Enjoy a couple of hours free time in Paris and then hop straight on the high speed TGV Est train to Strasbourg (journey time 2 hours 20 minutes).

Check in at the Mercure Strasbourg Quartier Saint Jean for your 2 night stay.

Spend 2 days discovering the sights and sounds of Strasbourg. Famous for housing a number of European institutions, this city is filled with plenty of exciting sightseeing opportunities and of course gourmet delicacies. Visit the Notre Dame cathedral, the 17th century Palais des Rohan and Petite France, home to Strasbourg's prettiest and most photogenic streets and buildings.

Day 2 - Strasbourg

Following breakfast, spend the rest of your day within the city or take a trip to catch some of the stunning scenes surrounding Strasbourg. Famous for its rolling vineyards and impressive wine routes, Strasbourg is an ideal location to explore the world of wine-tasting. The typical Alsace wine ranges from Pinot Noir to Reisling.

Railbookers recommends Railbookers can organise car hire to give you the flexibility to discover the Alsace region - please call our travel consultants for further details.

Day 3 - Strasbourg to Freiburg

Travel from Strasbourg to Freiberg crossing over the Rhine (journey time approximately 1 hour). Enter the Black Forest with mountains up to 1500m and thickly forested landscapes brimming with flowers and lush green fields. An impressive sight to see!

Check in at the InterCityHotel Freiburg for your 3 night stay.

Famed for its medieval heritage and ancient architecture, Freiburg's literal translation is "free town". With a perfect location close to the Black Forest, Freiburg is a great base for exploration of the area. Take a trip on the longest cable car run in Germany, which is about 2.25 miles long and takes you from Günterstal up to a nearby mountain called Schauinsland.

Days 4 & 5 - Freiburg

Take a wander to some of Freiburg's best inner city sites. Münster cathedral, one of the oldest and most beautiful in all of Europe is decorated with gargoyles. The Augustinermuseum is a newly opened museum with plenty of impressive exhibitions. A 15 minute hike will take you to the Schlossberg offering amazing views of the Black Forest and the Voges mountain range in France.

With numerous native Badisch pubs, jazz clubs and wine bars in Freiburg, spend your evenings in the company of the locals enjoying great cusine and popular Badisch wines from regions such as the Markgräflerland.

Day 6 - Freiburg to Cologne

Stop to buy treats for the train journey at the large Farmer's market in the 'Münsterplatz' (held every weekday) producing flowers, fruit and vegetables as well as traditional 'wurst' (German sausage).

Take the train to Cologne passing through the stunning Rhine Valley. Speed alongside castles, vineyards and striking mountain scenes. Enjoy the magic and romance of this one of a kind journey before arriving in Cologne.

Check in to the Marriott Cologne Hotel for your overnight stay.

Relax in one of Cologne's traditional bars with a glass of speciality beer, Kolsch or climb the famous Dom for fabulous views across the city.

Railbookers recommends Extend your stay in Cologne. Book another night and spend more time enjoying the scenic Rhine and a trip to the Chocolate museum!

Day 7 - Cologne to London

From Cologne take the train to Brussels before transferring onto your Eurostar back to London.

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets are a perfect time to visit these 3 festive cities! Enjoy delectable Christmas treats, festive entertainment and of course mulled wine whilst shopping for presents!

Strasbourg Christmas Market - 28 Nov 2010 - 31 Dec 2010 (dates may vary).
Freiburg Christmas Market - 22 Nov 2010 - 23 Dec 2010 (dates may vary).
Cologne Christmas Market - 22 Nov 2010 - 23 Dec 2010 (dates may vary)

Upgrade your hotels?

Are you celebrating a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon? Railbookers has some great upgrade options to make your trip extra special -

Regent Petite France Strasbourg - This 300 year old building is a modern yet charming hotel. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in its own Champagne bar and terrace overlooking the city.

Colombi Frieburg - A real gem in the heart of Frieburg's old town. Taste top-quality cusine in the Michelin star restaurant and relax with a massage in the hotel's wellness centre after a day hiking in the Black Forest. A must stay for any special occasion!

Im Wassertum Cologne - An impressive 5* hotel housed within a 19th Century water tower. Enjoy a luxurious meal at the 'La Vision' restaurant offering panoramic views across Cologne!